Mr Mitchell said the heavy rain was predicted to fall for a
short time but if it lasted longer or was more intense ''then
there could be some issues''.

MetService spokesman Ramon Oosterkamp said an active front
would move on to the South Island tomorrow, bringing heavy
rain in the west, as well as gale or severe gale northwest
winds in the east.

''The western and alpine areas of the South Island may see
another period of heavy rain, which may pose problems to
those areas affected by the wet weather of last week,'' he
said.

Contact Energy hydro generation manager Graham Quinn said the
Clutha river flow was roughly twice the average for this time
of year and while the level was relatively high, sediment was
being ''flushed'' from Lake Roxburgh, moving it further
downstream to alleviate the risk of flooding in Alexandra.
The flushing operation began on Friday and would continue
while flows were high. If the predicted rain upstream
eventuated, the dam would be forced to spill anyway, he said,
as there was not much head room in the lakes behind Contact's
dams.